Therapeutics: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)

Studies in patient samples and mice suggest MIF inhibitors could help treat PKD. MIF expression was higher in kidney cysts obtained from patients with autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD) and from mouse models of PKD and ADPKD than in kidney tissue from healthy controls. In mouse models of PKD, MIF knockout or a MIF inhibitor decreased macrophage recruitment to pericystic and interstitial sites in the kidneys, decreased cyst growth and increased renal function compared with normal MIF expression or vehicle. Next steps could include testing MIF inhibitors in PKD patients...